Raheem Sterling Set to Leave Chelsea on a Free as Future Remains Uncertain

For the past year, Raheem Sterling’s Chelsea career has been hanging by a thread. After joining the Blues from Manchester City in 2022 for £50 million, the 30-year-old winger has struggled to leave a lasting mark. He spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal, where he failed to impress and wasn't offered a permanent deal. Now, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has left Sterling out of the Club World Cup squad, signalling his exit from the club.

Financial expert Stefan Borson has suggested Chelsea will likely have to let Sterling leave for free while paying a portion of his £325,000-a-week wages — a massive £15 to £20 million a year. Despite scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists in 81 appearances for Chelsea, Sterling hasn’t played for the club in over a year, and his form has declined. At 31 this December, his options seem limited.